Max Holloway clarified that he was not mocking Ilia Topuria‘s English during their verbal exchange but was teasing him for using scripted lines, as he prepares to face Topuria in a UFC title fight, aiming to reclaim the featherweight championship.
Max Holloway doesn’t shy away from exchanging verbal jabs with his opponents, but he’s not one to stoop to lower levels. In the lead-up to UFC 308, he had a face-to-face interview with Ilia Topuria. It was heated and went on for nearly 20 minutes. At one point, Holloway urged Topuria to “speak” as the latter seemed to stumble over his words. Critics claimed Holloway mocked Topuria’s English, which isn’t his first language.
“I need to clear this up,” Holloway told MMA Fighting. He explained he wasn’t teasing Topuria’s English skills. “I know he speaks like five languages,” he said, admitting even he struggles with just one—English. What really bugged him? The scripted feel of Topuria’s responses.
Holloway felt Topuria was reciting rehearsed lines during their exchanges. “It wasn’t that deep,” he clarified. His frustration stemmed from the lack of genuine interaction, not language proficiency. “Stop using your scripted lines,” Holloway teased, urging authenticity.
Trash-talking isn’t Holloway’s forte, but prepared statements? Those irk him. He emphasized it wasn’t about English fluency but rather the scripted nature of Topuria’s comebacks. “I don’t talk very good English and this is my only language,” he confessed, urging critics to back off.
In truth, Holloway is eager to let his fists do the talking in the octagon against Topuria. It’s been nearly five years since he reigned over the 145-pound division after losing to Alexander Volkanovski in 2019 and subsequent rematches.
Topuria, meanwhile, dethroned Volkanovski with a stunning second-round knockout back in February. Some argue Volkanovski rushed back too soon after a brutal head kick loss to Islam Makhachev, but Holloway dismisses the what-ifs.
“At the end of the day, Ilia did what he did,” Holloway stated simply. Both fighters showed up; Topuria landed the decisive shot. Holloway respects that and acknowledges Topuria as a dangerous opponent.
As for reclaiming the title on Saturday? It would be monumental for Holloway’s career, especially after those three losses to Volkanovski. Becoming a two-time UFC featherweight champion might not top his career achievements, but it would certainly be special.
“It would mean a lot,” Holloway admitted. After his third fight with Volkanovski, many suggested he change weight classes or retire altogether. Yet here he stands, ready for another shot at glory on Oct. 26—a chance to have the last laugh.